As kids, who didn't dream of drawing on anything within reach - walls, tables, sidewalks - the list could go on! However, as soon as we entered school, we were always taught to stay within the lines. But now that we are adults, why limit ourselves? The Live Drawing Project is all about creative freedom - KID STYLE. The idea is simple - really big pieces of paper (and I mean BIG) and lots of mediums - ink, markers and watercolours to create a "live drawing" masterpiece that is the assemblage of everyone's collaborative drawings and doodles. The pictures to the right show scenes from the Crayon Workshop, a similar project run by Loftwork. These pictures serve to illustrate the concept in general - the Live Drawing Project will be a little different - but let's not give too much away now before you reach Sapporo!

Everyone attending the iSummit is welcome and highly encouraged to take part. That is to say that everyone's participation is vital to the success of the project. The concept of "remixing" is at the heart of this project. The paper begins as nothing, a blank canvas, but starting with the first stroke, the "nothingness" becomes full of unforeseeable and endless possibilities. It constantly changes and evolves as people add their own drawings and strokes. As more and more people add and connect their drawings, then the entire work of art will take on a life of its own.

Three artists (introduced below) from S-AIR and the Loftwork staff will lead the project, but the main idea, of course, is to have all participants create a piece of art together. We all come from different parts of the world. Although we are all human with the same basic emotions, fears and sources of happiness, our ideas of mankind, ourselves (in relation to the world), national boundaries, religion and culture differ from each other. This project is a momentous opportunity to learn about each other as humans and to overcome our differences to create one large, uniting masterpiece.

Meet the Live Drawing Project Leaders

Kiyoshi TAKAHASHI（Artist）
"Somewhere, there is a synthesis and coexistence among the chaos of masses of people, lines and colors. Being able to find that 'somewhere' while having fun drawing together to create this work of art is the ultimate objective."
 
Mikio TAKA（Artist）
"Picking up a crayon whether it is to refresh your spirit, rejuvenate your inner child or whatever you feel at that point - try expressing that in doodles, lines and drawings. What are you thinking? What are you feeling? The 'what' doesn't matter. It is all about expression."

Shotaro Hiratsuka（Artist）
"Communication began with drawings, not words. I hope to create an opportunity for everyone to gather together and remember the fun that we had during 'art time' at school. It is an open door to boundless creativity and imagination whether it is deep, expansive or just a whim while still respecting other`s creations. The experience will serve as a process that resonates in the human heart, eyes, ears and face."

Loftwork (staff members)
Loftwork is a leading creative agency in Japan with more than 10,000 registered creators, including web and graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, fine arts and more. The Loftwork staff, who are experts in a range of creative industries, will be on hand to inspire the Live Drawing participants. 

Pictures: The Crayon Workshop hosted by Loftwork is similar to the Live Drawing Project. From a blank slate of paper to a room covered in drawings - all pics by Chiaki Hayashi on flickr.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Photo of the project artists by Lauren Sethney.